Shoe shank construction



Feb. 16, 1937. J wH 2,071,098

SHOE SHANK CONSTRUCTION Filed April 26, 1955 Patented Feb. 16, 1937 PATENT OFFICE SHOE SHANK CONSTRUCTION John Joseph White, Chicago, 111., assignor to The Florsheim Shoe Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application April 26, 1935, Serial No. 18,317

2 Claims.

This invention has to do with an improvement in shoe construction and relates particularly to the arch and ball of the shoe.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an improved reinforcing device for the shank and ball of an insole.

A further object of this invention is to provide a stiffener construction affording greater comfort for the arch and ball of the foot than has heretofore been the case.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved insole reinforcement involving essentially two parts affording a shank stiffener and at the same time a resilient support for the ball of the foot. 7

It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved reinforcing device comprising essentially a pair of parts which may be readily assembled to afford the desired degree of yieldability for the support of the ball of the foot. Another object of the invention involves the provision of a reinforcing device involving essentially a pair of parts affording a shank stiffener and also a yieldable support for the arch as well as the ball of the foot.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improved reinforcing device affording the desired degree of rigidity and resilience and so constructed that the parts cannot be twisted or otherwise manipulated apart, when included in a shoe ready for wear.

In the practice of the invention, there is provided a shank stiffener part and a metatarsal archor ball-supporting part, arranged for relative pivotal movement, one of the parts being resilient and the parts being so connected that the resilience is effective in bringing the parts to their normal relationship when the pressure by the ball of the foot is released. The structure is adapted to be secured to the under side of the insole with the resilient element in a position to support the ball of the foot and to be depressed against the action of its resilience when the ball of the foot is in body supporting position.

The parts are preferably of stamped sheet metal and are so connected together as to prevent relative movement tending to separate them, either longitudinally or transversely, and are so constructed as to require but a single connection to permanently unite them. The stiffener part is preferably of channel shape for the purpose of rigidity, and the resilient element is so associated therewith as to prevent cutting of the insole material by the stiffener part.

By forming the resilient element with a bow of any desired extent, prior to securement thereof with the stiffener part, any desired degree of stiffness of the resilient element may be obtained.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. 5

This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawing and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of an insole of a shoe provided with a shank and ball reinforcement constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line IIII in Figure 1, showing associated portions of the heel and outsole.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan View of the reinforcing device appearing in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of associated parts of the insole and reinforcing device, taken substantially in the plane designated by the line IVIV in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the device, taken substantially as indicated by the line VV in Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the shank construction appearing in Figure 2, showing in full lines the normal relation of the parts and in dotted lines the relation following depression of the front part in response to pressure of the ball of the foot.

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan View of a modified form of ball-supporting element.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional View taken as indicated by the line VIIIVIII in Figure '7.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the bottom plan view of Figure 1 illustrates by way of example an insole A for a woman's shoe 40 for the right foot although it will be understood that the invention is universally adaptable for use in mens, womens and childrens shoes.

The improved reinforcing device forming the subject matter of the present invention is adapted to be secured preferably under the shank B of the insole as shown in Figures 1 and 2. This construction consists essentially of two pieces, namely, a relatively stiff reinforcing element 1 and a relatively resilient ball-supporting element 5 or flap 2.

The element I is elongated and preferably channel-shaped throughout the major portion of its length as shown at 3 for the purpose of rigidity, so as to maintain the proper shape of the shank of the shoe and accordingly afford a proper support for the arch of the foot. When applied to an insole, the element I is arranged with its longitudinal edges 4 adjacent the insole as more clearly seen in Figure 4. The fore-part of the element I is cut away as shown at at the bottom of the channel-portion so as to leave the marginal portions 6 extending free in the form of prongs.

The flap 2 is arranged forwardly of the element I, in a position below the metatarsal arch of the foot so as to support the same, and has on its upper side a crown I or Ia which may be riveted in place as at 8 or integrally secured as at 8a or by spot-welding or in any other suitable manner. The piece 2 is preferably widened at its forepart 9 so as to provide adequate bearing upon the outsole C and is preferably rounded at the bottom II] thereof to avoid cutting of the material engaged thereby. The crowning serves to assist in holding the shape of the ball or metatarsal arch of the foot.

The flap 2, rearwardly of the crown, is preferably of channel shape as shown at H and in reverse arrangement to the channel of the ele ment I. The channel portion Ii is of such width as to fit between the prongs E5 of the element I, as will be seen in Figures 3 and 5. At the sides I2 of the channel portion i I of the flap 2, lateral extensions or flanges l3 are provided. The flanges I3 and the sides i2 terminate a short distance rearwardly of the crown, and when the pieces i and 2 are assembled in operative relation, the prongs 6 are positioned in straddling relation to the channel part II and in engagement with the flanges I3. It will be noted that the prongs 6 are more nearly parallel than the remaining longitudinal marginal portions of the element I, in order to more closely embrace the sides I2 of the channel part I I of the flap 2. In consequence, in order to avoid sharpness in the bottom of the channel part 3 of the element I, the forepartof the channel is preferably substantially flattened as will be seen in Figure 5.

The web I4 of the channel part II is extended longitudinally and rearwardly of the flap 2 and is of such width as to be engageable with the inner surface of the element I adjacent the longitudinal edges 4 thereof, and of such thickness as to project upwardly beyond said edges and provide a smooth insole-engaging surface I5. When the surface I5 is engaged with the shank of the insole A, the edges 4 of the element I are spaced from the insole and accordingly said edges are prevented from cutting into the insole.

The flat extended portion I4 of the flap 2 is resilient. The rear end I 6 of said portion I t is preferably secured as at I'I to the rear, flattened portion I8 of the'piece I, in such a position that clearance is provided at I9 between the forward edge 20 of the web of the element I and the rear edge portions or shoulders 2I of the sides I2 and flanges I3 associated with the channel part II of the flap 2. This clearance enables the edges or shoulders H to approach the edge 20 when the flap 2 is pressed downward by the ball of the foot, causing an arching or bowing of the web extension I4 in an upward direction as shown in dotted lines in Figure 6. Thus it is evident that at the same time that the flap 2 yields resiliently in response to the downward pressure of the ball of the foot, as shown broken in dotted lines at 211, the web extension I 4 is arched upwardly as at Ma to afford additional and yielding support for the arch of the foot. The stiffness of the spring extension I4 may be varied as by changing the degree to which the same is normally bowed prior to its attachment at I? to the element I. That is, by increasing the normal curvature of the extension I4, the stiffness will be reduced and conversely by flattening the extension I4 it will be stiffer.

Moreover, any predetermined amount of rocking movement between the flap 2 and the element I may be provided for since the desired amount of clearance I9 may be obtained by choice of the place of securement of the tail end I6 of the extension M to the element I.

The tail end I8 of the element I is preferably forked to provide arms 22 affording more adequate bearing upon the insole and the heel, and to provide clearance for an anchoring nail or other means. extended to overlie the space between the fork arms 22 and is provided at this point with a hole 23 for the reception of an anchoring nail 24 adapted to pass down through the insole A, the hole 23, between the fork arms 22 and into the heel B.

In order to enable the device to be secured in proper position forward of the means 25 by means such as cement, and to inhibit squeaking between the reinforcing device and the insole and outsole and/or other associated parts, a strip of fabric 25 such as tape or other suitable material may be preferably adhesively secured over the major part of the upper and lower surface of the device. This material can in turn be readily cemented to associated leather or the like material of the shoe. It is flexible and, while conforming to the reinforcing device, will yield sufliciently so as not to interfere with rocking and flexing of the ball-supporting piece 2.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a reinforcing device of the class described; a shank element for reinforcing an insole shank; a ball-supporting part; and a spring integral with and formed of the material of said ball-supporting part connecting said element and part together; said spring extending between said element and the insole and arranged to be bowed upwardly, upon depression of said part, to afford a yieldable auxiliary reinforcement for the insole shank.

2. In a reinforcing device of the class described, a shank element for reinforcing an insole shank, a ball-supporting part, and a spring connecting said element and part together, said spring extending between said element and the insole and arranged to be bowed upwardly, upon depression of said part, to afford a yieldable auxiliary reinforcement for the insole shank, said element and part being formed to limit bowing of said spring.

JOHN J. WHITE.

The tail end It of the flap 2 is 

